— President Museveni, Commander-in-Chief of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has officially commissioned 352 officer cadets at the Uganda Military Academy (UMA), Kabamba, calling on them to uphold the values of health, discipline, patriotism, and military competence as they embark on their service to the nation.
The colourful pass-out ceremony, held on Saturday, marked the successful completion of training by cadets from two intakes: the Bachelor of Defence Studies (Intake 04/22–25) and the Professional Cadet Short Course (Intake 08/25).
Of the 352 cadets commissioned, 105 were graduates of the three-year Bachelor of Defence Studies program, 218 were professional cadets, 11 trained abroad, and 18 were from allied regional forces. These included officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) — underscoring the academy’s regional integration and commitment to Pan-Africanism.
Museveni: “Without Health, You Can’t Be a Soldier”
In his address, President Museveni urged the cadets to live by four guiding principles: health, discipline, patriotism (uzalendo), and competence in modern warfare.
“You must look after your health — it is the foundation of your service. You managed to complete training because your bodies could take the strain. Avoid lifestyles that undermine this,” Museveni told the cadets.
He emphasized that discipline is the cornerstone of military effectiveness.
“You cannot be a soldier if you are not disciplined, because soldiers operate in units — not as individuals. Discipline is what allows seamless coordination under pressure,” he noted.
On ideology, the president warned against colonial or inferiority mentalities, urging the officers to embrace Uganda’s founding principles: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
“You cannot be an effective officer if you don’t value your country and your continent. Corruption is a betrayal of both — it comes from putting individual gain above national interest,” Museveni said.
He also stressed the need for African armies to master all four dimensions of modern warfare: land, air, sea, and the emerging domain of space and cyber.
“There is no option for Africa but to master these phases. We must collaborate as a continent to defend our people and resources from global threats,” the President asserted.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba praised the commissioning as a renewal of the UPDF’s institutional strength and a reaffirmation of Uganda’s commitment to professionalising its military.
“Your Excellency, this very area of Kabamba is where the UPDF was born 44 years ago — on February 6, 1981. Today, we see its transformation into a modern, disciplined, and mission-ready force,” Gen. Muhoozi said.
He commended the graduates for their resilience and courage, describing soldiering as “the highest vocation in human experience.”
“We will continue to sharpen you until you become the best warriors and commanders, capable of overcoming any challenge. The UPDF has never failed in its missions — and we expect you to maintain that legacy,” he added.
Gen. Muhoozi also highlighted the UPDF’s contributions to regional peace, referencing successful missions in South Sudan, Somalia, the DRC, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea.
On welfare, the CDF revealed that the army is making notable strides in improving remuneration, accommodation, transport, education, logistics, and healthcare. He also reaffirmed UPDF’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, calling it “a desecration of duty.”
Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Jacob Oboth praised President Museveni for his strategic leadership and commitment to national security.
“Uganda’s peace and stability are not by accident. These gains must be safeguarded by all of us,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Saad Katemba, Commandant of the Uganda Military Academy, congratulated the cadets on their successful completion of training, describing their journey as one of resilience, endurance, and growth.
He revealed that the Bachelor of Defence Studies program integrates academic learning with military training in tactics, leadership, survival, and administration, while the professional cadet course spans six to eight months. He thanked Makerere University, particularly the Vice Chancellor and School of Social Sciences, for supporting the academic component of officer development.
Brig. Katemba also announced plans to upgrade infrastructure, including the road connecting Kabamba to Kalama, to facilitate training and logistics.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior government and military officials, including the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Veteran Affairs) Huda Abason Oleru, Permanent Secretary Rosette Byengoma, Chief of Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Jack Bakasumba, service commanders, chiefs of staff, defence attachés from partner countries, and several generals and senior officers.
As the 352 new officers take their oath, the UPDF strengthens its ranks with a fresh generation of warriors equipped with not only tactical skills, but also a renewed commitment to integrity, patriotism, and Pan-African solidarity.
